Group 11 goes to the wire

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovakia progressed from UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 11 after a tight finish that left Wales pipped on three-way head-to-head record but retaining hopes of going through as the best third-placed team.

Two-goal wins
Matchday 1 proved vital to the eventual outcome in Slovakia with the hosts and Bosnia-Herzegovina gaining 2-0 wins against Moldova and Wales respectively. Slovakia went ahead on 19 minutes in Michalovce though Erik Lyuptak and he scored again to end Moldova's hopes of a point just before the hour. Wales fell behind to a third-minute Ivan Rezdeušek goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina in Humenne and Haris Handžić doubled the lead 21 minutes later.

Wales bounce back
Wales bounced back two days later in Vranov nad Toplou as they defeated Moldova 2-0 with second-half goals by Kayne McLaggon and Sam Wade. Over in Michalovce, Slovakia moved to the head of the group with a 2-1 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Scores were level with an hour gone, but Robert Mak gave Slovakia the lead a minute later and Toni Markić then put through his own goal to double his opponents' advantage. Eldar Hasanović pulled one back with three minutes left but no equaliser was forthcoming.

Close finish
Bosnia-Herzegovina still, however, knew a win against Moldova would take them into the Elite round while Wales required a two-goal victory in their match with Slovakia to be sure. Slovakia went ahead in Vranov nad Toplou with a 21st-minute Kristian Kolcak effort, but early in the second half Wade equalised and Jamie Price put Brian Flynn's team into the lead with 22 minutes left. At that stage it seemed as if Wales could be finishing top as Bosnia-Herzegovina were being held 1-1 by Moldova in Humenne, Hasanović having equalised just before the break after Ion Gasan had put the former Soviet republic in front. But with five minutes to go Handžić settled the match in Bosnia-Herzegovina's faovur and put his team into provisional first place, and as Wales were unable to score again they ended third in the three-way tie with the hosts second.

Welsh hope
Wales can still join Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovakia in the Elite round draw on 5 December, but only if none of the other third-place finishers in the 12 groups end up with a better record against their top two. The three points gained against Slovakia put Wales ahead in the provisional rankings, but ten further mini-tournaments are yet to be concluded as of today and the last, Group 4 in Malta, does not begin until 17 November.